Once in a while when I’ve completely exhausted my playlists, milked them for every ounce of Serotonin they can offer me, I find myself gravitating towards a different type of entertainment when I’m walking around campus: Podcasts.
I can only theorize about the appealing aspects of this form of media to me, but I’ve narrowed it down to the chatter. Two spunky hosts in my ear, recreating the sensation of a mind blowing conversation in just 30 minutes of my time? Now that’s top tier content. If you need a reason to stop replaying the only new song in your playlist, or to think about anything other than school, here is my humble and carefully curated list of recommendations.
1.” You’re Wrong about “
This was the first podcast I ever seriously listened to when I was 16 years old. Taking into account my nostalgic bias, here’s my pitch of why you should listen to it. Hence the name, the podcast aims to review and reframe moments in our history that were often misrepresented to people. While this may just sound like a progressive American History class you took in high school, it’s not! The simple variety of the topics covered serve as evidence including subjects such as Disco Demolition, the OJ Simpson trials and the Roe v. Wade case. The topics are explored in an interdisciplinary fashion, bringing in the political, social, economic and their intersections. The incredibly well researched and established hosts, Sara Marshall and Micheal Hobbes, expose the underbelly of these moments in history, often bringing to light the suppressed history and influence of minorities and the LGBTQ+ community.
The podcast is resourceful, bringing in experts on the subjects discussed such as Candace Opper on Nirvana and Suicidology and Jamelle Bouie on the Electoral College. Lastly, I’m not certain how relatable this will be, but as someone who has an embarrassingly small knowledge of pop culture especially from the 60s-early 2010s, this podcast has saved me from some confusion in group settings. With the amount of references, I now can enjoy, understand and add on to make great conversations. I find myself falling in love with history I’m already familiar with episodes filled with music samples, primary accounts and one liners — not because of the story itself, but because of the way it’s told.
2. “Philosophize this”
A new addition to my rotation, this incredibly thought-provoking podcast has equipped me with a variety of ideologies I can use to guide me through my ventures. There’s a sea of philosophy podcasts, but what sets this specific one apart to me is the way the host structures and presents complex concepts. His use of colloquial language paired with the context he provides for each subject makes every episode digestible and beginner-friendly. When narrowing in on a point, the host lays out the ideas in multiple ways, which gives the audiences multiple chances to grasp the theory.
Audiences are walked through the works of famous philosophers and their understanding of the world, but never does the host glorify the claims or present it as the only truth. Instead, the host addresses any doubts the audiences might have and brings in different perspectives as well as how the philosopher would counter these differences. This structure makes for a well-rounded view of the theories discussed by including both their applications and shortcomings. Stephen West, the host, truly makes the show. His sense of humor and grounded approach to such abstract ideas creates a comforting and educational experience for the audience.
3. “pick me up, I’m scared“
I’ll disclaim that the content in this podcast mainly covers leftist politics. While this may discourage some readers from checking them out, they are very well researched and bring in different perspectives when covering a topic. The hosts often have experienced the social issues they discuss themselves such as homelessness, joblessness and urban city life. Hearing their anecdotes about these issues help remind the listener that, behind all the statistics and ideologies, real people are feeling the consequences of our societies’ ailments. It creates a very personal and sobering experience.
I don’t mean to create the impression that this podcast is just two hosts basking in their disillusionment with the world. Episodes always end with a sentiment of hope, offering the listener thorough research and viable solutions. So no, this will not send you down a nihilistic spiral, but rather inform you and inspire you to strive towards a better future. Other than the informative aspects of this podcast, what makes it so enjoyable to listen to is the chemistry between the hosts. Madeline (the main host) guides the episode using questions and prompts, while Kenna (the co-host) serves as comedic relief, authentically speaking her mind. This dynamic makes the content feel raw and not formulaic, which is often hard to find in political media.
Although my recommendations differ in many ways, they all share a critical component of good media; They don’t leave you unchanged. You will come out of every episode with just a bit more understanding of the world around you, which is especially invaluable in an age characterized by uncertainty.